Young Blues See Off Maccabi Haifa

Coach Kevin Sheedy had called for a response after the defeat to FC Dallas 24 hours previous and he certainly got it from his young Blues.

Tom Warren and Liam Morris had early efforts, while Anthony Gordon saw a free-kick hooked off the line inside an opening 20 minutes that Everton controlled.

On 32 minutes, Delial Brewster’s burst into the box saw him sent tumbling to hand the Blues a chance to open the scoring. The young striker picked himself up off the floor, went for power but saw his penalty smack the crossbar and cleared away.

However, Brewster, who tormented Maccabi with his pace all game, made amends eight minutes later. A perfectly-weighted first-time through ball from Gordon played him behind the defence and a cool low finish put the Toffees in front.

Seconds later the striker volleyed a Danny Bramall cross inches wide of the target before Maccabi were denied a shot on goal by the lunging Callum Lees.

After the break, Brewster again went close to scoring, before the Israeli side almost levelled matters when a combination of the post and Ben Pierce denied them an equaliser.

Everton had to stay calm to see the game out for the final 10 minutes as Maccabi pushed for a leveller. But the Toffees defended resolutely to grind out a victory that gives them a confidence boost ahead of their final group match against Mexican side Monterrey on Wednesday.